Expounding on the latest travel regulations
By Bobbie Green
Currently the law regarding entry into the United States from a foreign country requires all persons traveling by air to have a valid passport, including U.S. and Canadian citizens. The key here is air travel. If you are traveling by land or sea only, the passport requirement has been postponed until the summer of 2009. If you are traveling by land or sea you must have a U. S. government-issued photo ID and proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. The birth certificate MUST be a certified copy; raised seal certificates are no longer acceptable. Most cruise lines will tell you to get a passport even though you truly do not have to have it yet, because the U.S. government highly encourages all citizens to carry proof of identity and citizenship while traveling at the present time. Given the many unstable situations in the world today I feel safer having my documents with me whether I am in Canada or Russia. If traveling by land or sea and you should become ill and need to fly home, you could have a problem without proper re-entry documents.
One may get their applications for passports on-line or at your local post office.The government fee’s are standard A new passport book for adults is $75.00 plus an execution fee of $25.00 which goes to the facility where you are applying, if it is not a passport agency. Total $100.00. A child under 16 costs is $60.00 application fee and $ 25.00 execution fee, a Total of $85.00. If you use a passport service they may charge you another small fee. The passport is good for 10-years.
New this summer is what will be known as a U.S. Passport Card Applications are being accepted now. This Passport Card may NOT be used for air travel ever. It is available to U.S. citizens only and good for use on land and sea entry and re-entry to the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region and Bermuda only. The cost for an adult card is $20.00.
Minors traveling out of the country must have notarized written permission from any parent or guardian not traveling with them.
Tourist going into Mexico for stays of 72 hours or less,(maybe to up pick meds) and staying within “the border zone” , which is defined as 20 to 30 kilometers of the border, depending on location, do not need a tourist card/ FM-T or visa. If you are traveling longer or going beyond the “zone” you must pay a fee to Mexico for the card. Air travelers generally pay it as part of the air ticket price. These FM-T cards may be purchased at the border crossing point or Mexican consulates and tourism offices.
Health care outside the U.S. can be a problem. Many of our insurance companies do not cover outside the U.S, neither does Medicare. The government strongly urges Americans to consult their medical insurance. Travel insurance sold through travel agents such as Travel Guard and Access America protect one while out of the country. However tourist should be aware that countries that have a national health care system like Canada may experience getting access to medical care as difficult. Most doctors will not take new patients and specialist requires referrals from general practitioners and then it may take months to get an appointment. Emergency room waits are very long as one can imagine. Travel policies normally include emergency airlifting to proper facility.
When traveling with medications make sure to take them in the original container. Remember medications purchased outside the country may not be FDA approved and may be confiscated upon re-entry.
If traveling with a pet proof of Rabies vaccinations for dog is required. Not cats.
Last but not least, take an envelope to put all receipts for purchases in one handy spot. Cuban made products are still banned in the U.S. no matter where you Purchase them.
Travel can be trying, it is best to be informed and prepared making the experience better for everyone.
HELPFUL INFO
Info for passports & ID
National Passport info center
877-487-2778
Green Card & Lawful Residents
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